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폐기하다

B1 verb #6,000 most common 9 min read

폐기하다

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 폐기하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 폐기하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use '폐기하다'. It is too formal for basic conversations. Instead, you should focus on the word '버리다' (beorida), which means 'to throw away'. You use '버리다' when you talk about putting trash in a bin. For example, '쓰레기를 버려요' (I throw away the trash). '폐기하다' is like a much more difficult version of '버리다' that adults use in offices or on the news. If you see this word on a sign, just know it means 'Do not use this' or 'This is being thrown away permanently'. You might see it in a convenience store if a worker is taking old food away. But for your own speaking, stick to '버리다' for now. It is much easier to conjugate and everyone will understand you.

At the A2 level, you are starting to see more formal words in public places. You might see '폐기' (the noun form) on trash cans for specific items like batteries or light bulbs. This is because these items need 'special disposal' rather than just being thrown in the regular trash. You should understand that '폐기하다' is used for 'official' throwing away. If you are working a part-time job in Korea, your boss might tell you to '폐기' the expired food. In this context, it means to record that it's expired and then throw it away. You don't need to use it in your daily life with friends, but you should recognize it when you read signs or hear announcements about waste management in your apartment building.

At the B1 level, you should begin to use '폐기하다' in appropriate contexts. This is the level where you distinguish between casual and formal language. If you are writing an essay about the environment or a report for work, '폐기하다' is the correct verb to use for disposing of industrial waste or old equipment. You should also know the passive form '폐기되다' (to be discarded). For example, '이 계획은 폐기되었습니다' (This plan was scrapped). This level requires you to understand that '폐기하다' implies a sense of 'rendering something obsolete' or 'officially discarding' something that was once useful but no longer is. It is very common in news articles about government policies or business decisions.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '폐기하다' in a variety of formal and technical contexts. You should understand the nuance between '폐기하다' and similar words like '파기하다' (to annul/destroy) and '처분하다' (to dispose of/sell). At this level, you might encounter '폐기하다' in discussions about nuclear energy (핵폐기물 - nuclear waste), international treaties (조약 폐기), or corporate data security. You should be able to explain *why* something is being '폐기'-ed—perhaps because it is hazardous, expired, or legally void. You should also be able to use it in the causative or passive voice to describe complex administrative processes in a professional manner.

At the C1 level, '폐기하다' is a fundamental part of your formal vocabulary. You should understand its use in high-level academic and legal texts. For instance, in legal discourse, '폐기' might refer to the striking down of a precedent or the formal disposal of evidence. In environmental science, you would use it to describe the life-cycle management of materials. You should also be aware of the Hanja roots (廢棄) and how they relate to other words like '폐수' (wastewater) or '기권' (renunciation/abstention). Your usage should be precise—choosing '폐기' when referring to the physical disposal of an object and '파기' when referring to the destruction of a legal obligation or a digital file's integrity.

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native grasp of '폐기하다'. You can use it metaphorically or in highly specialized fields like philosophy or advanced law. You understand the subtle rhetorical weight the word carries in political speeches—how calling a policy '폐기 대상' (an object for disposal) frames it as useless junk. You can navigate complex compound words and historical contexts where the word might have been used differently. You also recognize the bureaucratic nuances, such as the difference between '폐기' (disposal), '소각' (incineration), and '매립' (landfill) within a policy document. Your ability to use this word correctly in a high-stakes professional environment, such as a press release or a legal brief, is flawless.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

폐기하다 in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning to officially discard, scrap, or dispose of something permanently.
Commonly used for documents, expired food, industrial waste, and abstract plans or laws.
Derived from Hanja roots meaning 'to abandon' (廢) and 'to throw away' (棄).
Distinguishable from the casual '버리다' by its professional and systematic nuance.

The Korean verb 폐기하다 (pyegihada) is a sophisticated and formal term that translates to 'to discard,' 'to scrap,' or 'to dispose of' something permanently. While the common verb 버리다 (beorida) is used for everyday trash like an empty snack bag or a used tissue, 폐기하다 carries a much heavier weight. It implies an official, systematic, or permanent removal of items, often because they are no longer useful, have expired, or pose a danger. This word is deeply rooted in Hanja (Sino-Korean characters): 廢 (폐 - to abandon/waste) and 棄 (기 - to throw away). When you combine these, you get a term that suggests a deliberate decision to render something obsolete or to destroy it according to a specific protocol.

Industrial Context: In factories or construction sites, materials that are defective or no longer meet safety standards are not just 'thrown away'; they are officially scrapped or disposed of through a regulated process. This is the primary domain of 폐기하다.
Legal and Administrative Context: When a law is abolished, a treaty is scrapped, or confidential documents are shredded to prevent information leaks, government officials use this term to denote the formal cessation of that item's validity or existence.

정부는 오래된 핵연료를 안전하게 폐기하기로 결정했습니다. (The government decided to safely dispose of the old nuclear fuel.)

Furthermore, 폐기하다 is the standard term used in the food industry regarding expiration dates. If a grocery store finds milk that is past its 'sell-by' date, they don't just 'toss' it; they follow a 'disposal procedure' (폐기 절차). You will often see this word on news broadcasts discussing environmental issues, such as the disposal of plastic waste or the decommissioning of old ships. It evokes a sense of finality and organizational responsibility that 버리다 simply cannot convey.

유통기한이 지난 우유는 즉시 폐기해야 합니다. (Milk that has passed its expiration date must be discarded immediately.)

Environmental Nuance: Environmentalists use this word when discussing the 'disposal' of pollutants. It implies that the substance is being handled in a way that removes it from the ecosystem or neutralizes its threat.

불법으로 폐기된 폐수 때문에 강이 오염되었습니다. (The river was polluted because of illegally disposed wastewater.)

Using 폐기하다 correctly requires understanding its transitive nature. It always takes an object (marked by 을/를) which is the thing being discarded. Because it is a formal word, it is frequently used in the passive form 폐기되다 (to be discarded/scrapped) or as a noun 폐기 (disposal). When you use this word, you are signaling to your listener that the action is part of a formal process or a serious decision.

Noun + 폐기하다: Common objects include '서류' (documents), '계획' (plans), '시설' (facilities), and '물건' (items/objects). For example, '문서를 폐기하다' means to destroy documents, usually by shredding or burning.

회사는 보안을 위해 기밀 서류를 모두 폐기했습니다. (The company discarded all confidential documents for security.)

In abstract contexts, 폐기하다 can refer to ideas or systems. If a project is deemed unfeasible, a manager might say the plan was '폐기되었다' (scrapped). This usage is very common in political news when discussing the withdrawal of a bill or the termination of an agreement between nations. It sounds much more professional than saying the plan was simply 'stopped' or 'thrown away'.

그 프로젝트는 예산 부족으로 인해 결국 폐기되었습니다. (That project was eventually scrapped due to a lack of budget.)

When discussing physical waste that is hazardous, the term 폐기물 (waste material/refuse) is used as a noun. You might hear phrases like 산업 폐기물 (industrial waste) or 방사성 폐기물 (radioactive waste). Using '폐기하다' in these contexts emphasizes the safety protocols involved in the disposal process.

공장은 화학 폐기물을 무단으로 폐기하여 벌금을 물었습니다. (The factory was fined for illegally disposing of chemical waste.)

Passive Usage: In news reports, the passive '폐기되다' is often preferred to focus on the object being discarded rather than the person doing the discarding. '낡은 관습이 폐기되었다' (Old customs were discarded).

You are most likely to encounter 폐기하다 in formal environments or media. If you are watching a Korean news broadcast (like KBS, MBC, or SBS), this word appears frequently in segments concerning environmental policy, corporate scandals involving waste, or international relations. For example, if a missile program is being dismantled or a trade agreement is being canceled, the news anchor will use 폐기 or 폐기하다.

두 나라는 군사 협정을 폐기하기로 합의했습니다. (The two countries agreed to scrap the military agreement.)

In a workplace setting, particularly in manufacturing, IT, or healthcare, this word is part of daily operations. In a hospital, medical waste like used needles must be '폐기' according to strict laws. In an IT firm, old hard drives containing sensitive client data are '폐기' to ensure the data cannot be recovered. If you work in a Korean office, you might hear a colleague say, "이 컴퓨터들은 너무 오래되어서 폐기해야겠어요" (These computers are too old, so we should scrap them).

Another common place to see this word is at the supermarket or a convenience store. Part-time workers (alba-saeng) often use the noun form '폐기' to refer to food items that have reached their expiration date and must be removed from the shelf. In fact, '폐기 식품' (disposed food) is a common term among retail workers. If you are learning Korean for a job in Korea, mastering this word is essential for professional communication.

편의점 알바생들은 유통기한이 지난 도시락을 폐기 처리합니다. (Convenience store part-timers process the disposal of expired lunch boxes.)

Public Announcements: Municipalities often post notices about '대형 폐기물' (large-scale waste) like furniture or appliances, explaining how citizens should pay for a sticker to have these items '폐기' properly.

냉장고 같은 대형 가전제품을 폐기할 때는 스티커를 붙여야 합니다. (When disposing of large appliances like refrigerators, you must attach a sticker.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 폐기하다 is using it in overly casual situations. Because it is a B1/B2 level word, using it to talk about throwing away a candy wrapper makes you sound like a robot or a very stiff government official. If you are at a friend's house and want to ask where the trash can is to throw away a napkin, use 버리다. Using 폐기하다 there would be confusing and unintentionally funny.

Confusing with '파기하다' (Pagihada): These two words are very similar and often overlap, but '파기하다' focuses more on 'breaking' or 'destroying' something to make it void, like a contract or a promise. '폐기하다' focuses more on the 'disposal' of a physical or abstract item because it's no longer needed. You '파기' a contract (break it), but you '폐기' the physical paper it was written on (shred/discard it).

Wrong: 사탕 껍질을 폐기했어요. (I 'officially disposed' of the candy wrapper.)
Right: 사탕 껍질을 버렸어요. (I threw away the candy wrapper.)

Another mistake is forgetting the object marker 을/를. Since 폐기하다 is a transitive verb, it needs a direct object. Some learners might confuse it with the intransitive state of being waste, but remember: 폐기하다 is the action of disposing. If you want to say something was disposed of, use the passive 폐기되다.

Correct: 유통기한이 지난 약은 약국에 가져가서 폐기해야 합니다. (Expired medicine should be taken to a pharmacy and disposed of.)

Lastly, be careful with the spelling. The first syllable is 폐 (pye), not 패 (pae). While they sound very similar in modern spoken Korean, '패기' (pae-gi) means 'ambition' or 'spirit,' which is a completely different word! Scrapping a plan (폐기) and having the spirit to start a plan (패기) are worlds apart.

To truly master 폐기하다, you must see how it sits alongside its synonyms and near-synonyms. Depending on the level of formality and the specific object you are discarding, you might choose a different word.

버리다 (Beorida) vs. 폐기하다: '버리다' is the general, everyday word for 'to throw away.' It can be used for anything from trash to old memories. '폐기하다' is professional, systematic, and usually implies that the item is being rendered unusable or destroyed according to a rule.
처분하다 (Cheobunhada) vs. 폐기하다: '처분하다' means 'to dispose of' or 'to get rid of,' but it often implies selling something or dealing with it to settle a matter. For example, '재산을 처분하다' means to sell off assets. '폐기하다' specifically means the item is being treated as waste or destroyed.
파기하다 (Pagihada) vs. 폐기하다: '파기하다' means to destroy, quash, or annul. It is used for documents (shredding them so they are destroyed) or legal rulings (overturning them). While '폐기' is about the end of an item's lifecycle, '파기' is about the destruction of its form or validity.

그는 낡은 가구를 중고 시장에 처분했습니다. (He disposed of [sold/dealt with] the old furniture at the second-hand market.)

In environmental contexts, you might also hear 처리하다 (to process/handle). While '폐기' is the act of discarding, '처리' is the broader process of managing the waste. For instance, '폐수 처리' (wastewater treatment) is the process, but '폐수 폐기' (wastewater disposal) is the act of getting rid of it.

대법원은 원심 판결을 파기하고 사건을 돌려보냈습니다. (The Supreme Court quashed the original judgment and sent the case back.)

Finally, there is 철폐하다 (to abolish). This is used for systems, laws, or barriers. If you '폐기' a law, you are discarding it like a piece of paper; if you '철폐' a law, you are formally removing the system it represents. Both are formal, but '철폐' sounds more like social or systemic reform.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 廢 (폐) is also used in '폐차' (pye-cha), which means scrapping an old car, and '폐허' (pye-heo), which means ruins. It always carries a sense of something being broken or no longer usable.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pʰe.ɡi.ɦa.da/

US /pʰe.ɡi.ɦɑ.dɑ/

The primary stress is on the first syllable '폐' (pye).

Rhymes With

제기하다 (jegihada - to raise/propose) 제거하다 (jegeohada - to remove) 제시하다 (jesihada - to present) 대기하다 (daegihada - to wait) 내기하다 (naegihada - to bet) 세기하다 (segihada - to count/carve) 얘기하다 (yaegihada - to talk) 포기하다 (pogihada - to give up)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '폐' (pye) as '패' (pae). While similar, '패기' means spirit/ambition.
Mumbling the 'h' in 'hada'. It should be clearly articulated in formal speech.
Over-emphasizing the 'gi' so it sounds like 'key'. It is a soft 'g' sound.
Failing to aspirate the 'p' in 'pye'.
Treating it as a three-syllable word instead of four (pye-gi-ha-da).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and formal notices, so it's essential for intermediate readers.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of Hanja-based formal register to use correctly.

Speaking 3/5

Useful in workplace settings, but '버리다' is used more often in casual speech.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognized once you know the 'pye' sound, often heard in news.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

버리다 (to throw away) 쓰레기 (trash) 서류 (documents) 계획 (plan) 지나다 (to pass)

Learn Next

파기하다 (to destroy/annul) 처분하다 (to dispose/sell) 철폐하다 (to abolish) 재활용하다 (to recycle) 정화하다 (to purify)

Advanced

매립 (landfill) 소각 (incineration) 방사성 (radioactive) 유해 (harmful) 조례 (ordinance)

Grammar to Know

-기로 하다 (Decide to do)

서류를 폐기하기로 했습니다.

-아야/어야 하다 (Must do)

위험 물질은 안전하게 폐기해야 합니다.

-는 것 (Nominalization)

폐기하는 것이 어렵습니다.

-아/어지다 (Passive state)

낡은 관습이 폐기되었습니다.

-기 위해 (In order to)

보안을 위해 문서를 폐기합니다.

Examples by Level

쓰레기를 폐기해요.

I discard the trash (very formal).

Present tense polite.

이것을 폐기할까요?

Shall I discard this?

-ㄹ까요 for suggestions.

우유를 폐기했습니다.

I discarded the milk.

Past tense formal.

폐기하지 마세요.

Please do not discard it.

-지 마세요 for prohibition.

빵을 폐기해요.

I discard the bread.

Basic object + verb.

서류를 폐기해요.

I discard the papers.

Formal object.

컴퓨터를 폐기해요.

I discard the computer.

Noun + object marker.

폐기하고 싶어요.

I want to discard it.

-고 싶다 for desire.

유통기한이 지나서 폐기했어요.

It passed the expiration date, so I discarded it.

-아서/어서 for reason.

오래된 옷을 폐기해야 해요.

I have to discard old clothes.

-아야/어야 하다 for obligation.

이 약은 어떻게 폐기해요?

How do I discard this medicine?

Interrogative '어떻게'.

폐기할 물건이 많아요.

There are many things to discard.

Adnominal -ㄹ/을.

상자를 폐기해 주세요.

Please discard the box for me.

-아/어 주세요 for requests.

음식물을 함부로 폐기하지 마세요.

Do not discard food waste carelessly.

Adverb '함부로'.

폐기 처리가 끝났습니다.

The disposal process is finished.

Noun '처리'.

이것은 폐기 대상입니다.

This is an item for disposal.

Noun '대상'.

회사는 기밀 문서를 모두 폐기하기로 했습니다.

The company decided to discard all confidential documents.

-기로 하다 for decisions.

정부는 새로운 법안을 폐기했습니다.

The government scrapped the new bill.

Abstract usage (bill).

환경을 위해 플라스틱을 올바르게 폐기해야 합니다.

For the environment, we must discard plastic correctly.

-기 위해 for purpose.

오래된 시설을 폐기하고 새 건물을 지을 것입니다.

We will scrap old facilities and build a new building.

-고 for sequence.

잘못된 정보를 폐기하는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to discard incorrect information.

-는 것 for nominalization.

군대는 낡은 무기를 폐기했습니다.

The army scrapped the old weapons.

Formal past tense.

폐기된 가전제품이 산처럼 쌓여 있습니다.

Discarded appliances are piled up like a mountain.

Passive participle '폐기된'.

실패한 계획은 과감히 폐기해야 합니다.

Failed plans must be discarded boldly.

Adverb '과감히'.

화학 폐기물을 무단으로 폐기하면 법적 처벌을 받습니다.

If you discard chemical waste without permission, you will be legally punished.

-면 for condition.

그 프로젝트는 타당성이 부족하여 폐기되었습니다.

The project was scrapped because it lacked feasibility.

Passive '폐기되다'.

핵폐기물 처리 문제는 매우 민감한 사안입니다.

The issue of nuclear waste disposal is a very sensitive matter.

Compound noun '핵폐기물'.

회사는 개인정보가 포함된 하드디스크를 물리적으로 폐기했습니다.

The company physically destroyed hard drives containing personal information.

Adverb '물리적으로'.

기존의 조약을 폐기하고 새로운 협정을 체결했습니다.

They scrapped the existing treaty and signed a new agreement.

Contrast of 폐기 vs 체결.

불량품은 전량 폐기하는 것이 원칙입니다.

It is a principle to discard the entire quantity of defective products.

Noun '원칙'.

유통기한이 임박한 제품을 폐기하기보다 기부하는 곳이 늘고 있습니다.

Places that donate products near their expiration date rather than discarding them are increasing.

-기보다 for comparison.

오염된 토양을 정화하기 위해 폐기물을 제거했습니다.

In order to purify the contaminated soil, the waste was removed.

Complex purpose clause.

대법원은 해당 법률이 헌법에 위배된다고 판단하여 폐기했습니다.

The Supreme Court judged that the law in question violated the Constitution and scrapped it.

Indirect quotation '-고 판단하여'.

산업화 과정에서 대량으로 폐기된 자재들이 환경 문제를 일으켰습니다.

Materials discarded in large quantities during the industrialization process caused environmental issues.

Noun phrase '산업화 과정'.

낡은 관습과 사고방식을 폐기하고 혁신을 추구해야 합니다.

We must discard old customs and mindsets and pursue innovation.

Metaphorical usage.

정치적 이해관계에 따라 정책이 하루아침에 폐기되기도 합니다.

Policies are sometimes scrapped overnight depending on political interests.

-기도 하다 for occasional actions.

실험 데이터가 오염되었을 가능성이 있어 전면 폐기하기로 결정했습니다.

There was a possibility that the experimental data was contaminated, so we decided to scrap it entirely.

Noun '전면' (entirely).

비윤리적인 방식으로 수집된 정보는 즉각 폐기되어야 마땅합니다.

Information collected in an unethical manner deserves to be discarded immediately.

-어야 마땅하다 for 'deserves to'.

우주 쓰레기를 안전하게 폐기하는 기술이 개발되고 있습니다.

Technology to safely discard space junk is being developed.

Specialized context (space).

해당 기기는 부품 수급이 불가능해져 결국 폐기 수순을 밟게 되었습니다.

The device in question ended up going through the disposal procedure as parts became unavailable.

Idiom '수순을 밟다' (to go through steps).

국가 간의 신뢰가 무너지면 수십 년간 유지되어 온 외교적 성과가 한순간에 폐기될 수 있습니다.

If trust between nations collapses, diplomatic achievements maintained for decades can be scrapped in an instant.

Complex conditional and passive.

포스트모더니즘은 거대 서사의 유효성을 폐기하고 파편화된 진실에 주목합니다.

Postmodernism discards the validity of grand narratives and focuses on fragmented truths.

Philosophical context.

원자력 발전소의 해체와 핵폐기물 영구 폐기장 건설은 사회적 합의가 필수적입니다.

Social consensus is essential for the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and the construction of permanent nuclear waste disposal sites.

Highly technical nouns.

역사적 문헌의 가치를 판단하지 않고 무분별하게 폐기하는 것은 문화적 자살 행위입니다.

Indiscriminately discarding historical documents without judging their value is an act of cultural suicide.

Rhetorical hyperbole.

기술적 특이점이 오면 기존의 인간 중심적 가치 체계가 폐기될 것이라는 전망이 있습니다.

There is a prospect that existing human-centric value systems will be discarded when the technological singularity arrives.

Future conjecture.

해당 조례는 시대착오적이라는 비판을 수용하여 전격 폐기되었습니다.

The ordinance in question was scrapped abruptly after accepting criticisms that it was anachronistic.

Adverb '전격' (abruptly/lightning-fast).

데이터 주권 시대에 개인의 정보 삭제권은 정보의 영구적 폐기를 보장해야 합니다.

In the era of data sovereignty, an individual's right to erasure must guarantee the permanent disposal of information.

Legal/Digital rights context.

생태계 복원을 위해 외래종의 확산을 막고 관련 시설을 폐기하는 조치가 단행되었습니다.

Measures were taken to stop the spread of invasive species and scrap related facilities to restore the ecosystem.

Formal verb '단행되다' (to be carried out).

Common Collocations

서류를 폐기하다

식품을 폐기하다

계획을 폐기하다

폐기물 처리

조약을 폐기하다

시설을 폐기하다

전량 폐기

즉각 폐기

무단 폐기

영구 폐기

Common Phrases

폐기 처분

— Official disposal or scrapping of an item.

이 기계는 폐기 처분 대상입니다.

폐기 절차

— The formal steps or process for disposal.

폐기 절차를 밟아야 합니다.

폐기물 스티커

— A sticker purchased to dispose of large items.

폐기물 스티커를 사러 가요.

폐기 식품

— Food that has been discarded, usually due to expiration.

폐기 식품을 먹으면 안 됩니다.

폐기 비용

— The cost or fee associated with disposal.

폐기 비용이 꽤 많이 듭니다.

폐기물 매립지

— A landfill site where waste is buried.

폐기물 매립지가 꽉 찼습니다.

기밀 폐기

— The disposal of confidential information.

기밀 폐기 전문 업체를 불렀다.

폐기 예정

— Scheduled for disposal.

이 건물은 다음 달 폐기 예정입니다.

무단 폐기 금지

— Prohibition of illegal dumping/disposal.

벽에 '무단 폐기 금지'라고 적혀 있다.

폐수 폐기

— Disposal of wastewater.

폐수 폐기 기준을 강화했다.

Often Confused With

폐기하다 vs 파기하다

Focuses on breaking/annulling contracts or destroying form. 폐기하다 focuses on disposal of the object/entity.

폐기하다 vs 처분하다

Can mean selling off or dealing with something. 폐기하다 specifically means treating it as waste.

폐기하다 vs 철폐하다

Used for abolishing systems or social structures, not physical waste.

Idioms & Expressions

"역사의 뒤안길로 폐기되다"

— To be discarded into the back alleys of history (to become obsolete and forgotten).

그 낡은 사상은 역사의 뒤안길로 폐기되었다.

Literary

"용도 폐기"

— Discarding something because its purpose is gone; often used metaphorically for people or ideas.

그는 조직에서 용도 폐기된 기분이 들었다.

Formal/Metaphorical

"쓰레기통에 폐기하다"

— To throw something into the trash (often used for plans/ideas to show they are worthless).

그 제안은 논의할 가치도 없이 쓰레기통에 폐기되었다.

Expressive

"전면 폐기"

— Total abandonment or scrapping of something.

회사는 기존 브랜드를 전면 폐기했다.

Business

"폐기물 취급을 받다"

— To be treated like waste (to be treated with no respect).

그는 직장에서 폐기물 취급을 받으며 버텼다.

Colloquial/Bitter

"낡은 관습의 폐기"

— The discarding of old customs.

사회의 발전을 위해 낡은 관습의 폐기가 필요하다.

Academic

"서류상의 폐기"

— Discarding something on paper only (while it might still exist).

그 부서는 서류상의 폐기일 뿐 실제로는 운영 중이다.

Administrative

"폐기 처분하다"

— To dispose of as if it were junk.

고장 난 냉장고를 폐기 처분했다.

Standard

"생각의 폐기"

— Discarding an idea or thought.

부정적인 생각의 폐기가 정신 건강에 좋다.

Self-help

"조례 폐기"

— Scrapping an ordinance.

시의회는 논란이 된 조례 폐기를 결정했다.

Political

Easily Confused

폐기하다 vs 패기 (Pae-gi)

Sounds very similar to 폐기 (Pye-gi).

'패기' means spirit, ambition, or vigor. '폐기' means disposal or scrapping.

청년의 패기 (Youthful spirit) vs. 서류 폐기 (Document disposal).

폐기하다 vs 폐지 (Pye-ji)

Both involve '폐' (abolish/waste).

'폐지' as a noun can mean 'waste paper' OR 'abolition' of a law. '폐기' is the act of discarding.

폐지를 줍다 (To pick up waste paper) vs. 법안 폐기 (Scrapping a bill).

폐기하다 vs 파기 (Pa-gi)

Both mean getting rid of something.

'파기' is for breaking a promise or shredding a specific document to make it unreadable. '폐기' is for the general disposal of items or plans.

계약 파기 (Contract annulment) vs. 기계 폐기 (Machine scrapping).

폐기하다 vs 포기 (Po-gi)

Both end in '기' and involve 'giving up' something.

'포기' means to give up on a task or a dream. '폐기' is to discard a physical or official thing.

꿈을 포기하다 (To give up on a dream) vs. 계획을 폐기하다 (To scrap a plan).

폐기하다 vs 처리 (Cheo-ri)

Both involve dealing with waste.

'처리' is the general process of handling/managing. '폐기' is the specific act of discarding.

쓰레기 처리 (Trash management) vs. 쓰레기 폐기 (Trash disposal).

Sentence Patterns

N을/를 폐기해요.

상자를 폐기해요.

N을/를 폐기하기로 했어요.

오래된 차를 폐기하기로 했어요.

N이/가 폐기되었습니다.

그 계획이 폐기되었습니다.

유통기한이 지나서 N을/를 폐기해야 해요.

유통기한이 지나서 우유를 폐기해야 해요.

보안을 위해 N을/를 폐기했습니다.

보안을 위해 서류를 폐기했습니다.

N을/를 폐기하는 대신 재활용합시다.

옷을 폐기하는 대신 재활용합시다.

N을/를 무단으로 폐기하면 안 됩니다.

폐수를 무단으로 폐기하면 안 됩니다.

N의 유효성이 사라져 폐기 수순을 밟게 되었습니다.

이 법안은 유효성이 사라져 폐기 수순을 밟게 되었습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

폐기 Disposal, scrapping

폐기물 Waste, refuse

폐기장 Disposal site, junkyard

폐기법 Disposal method/law

Verbs

폐기되다 To be discarded/scrapped (passive)

폐기시키다 To cause to be discarded

Adjectives

폐기된 Discarded, scrapped (past participle)

폐기할 To-be-discarded

폐수 (wastewater)

폐허 (ruins)

폐지 (abolition/waste paper)

기권 (abstention)

기각 (rejection)

How to Use It

frequency

High in news, medium-high in workplace, low in casual conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using it for everyday trash. → 버리다
폐기하다 is too formal for throwing away a napkin or a snack wrapper.
Spelling it as 패기하다. → 폐기하다
패기 means spirit or ambition. Using it for disposal makes no sense.
Using it for people. → 버림받다 / 헤어지다
폐기하다 is for objects, documents, and plans. It is dehumanizing to use for people.
Confusing with 파기하다 in contracts. → 파기하다
While they are similar, 파기하다 is the standard for 'annulling' or 'breaking' a legal agreement.
Forgetting the object marker. → ~을/를 폐기하다
It is a transitive verb and requires 을/를 unless used as a noun.

Tips

Context Matters

Always use '폐기하다' in business or official settings. For example, if you are a manager, tell your employees to '폐기' documents, not '버려'.

Aspirate the 'P'

Make sure you breathe out strongly when saying 'Pye' (폐). If you don't, it might sound like 'Bye' or 'Pae'.

The Passive Voice

Learn '폐기되다'. It's used much more often in writing than the active '폐기하다' because it focuses on the object.

Hazardous Waste

When talking about batteries, chemicals, or medical needles, always use '폐기' to emphasize safe disposal.

Office Lingo

'폐기' is the standard term for shredding documents. If you see a shredder, think of the word '폐기'.

Convenience Store Tip

If you work at a CU or GS25, '폐기' refers to the food you can sometimes eat for free because it expired!

Law and Policy

When a government stops a policy, the news will say the policy was '폐기'. This is a key word for understanding politics.

Eco-friendly

In environmental essays, use '폐기물' to refer to waste and '폐기하다' for the act of disposal.

Pye = Piece

Think of 'Pye' as a 'Piece' of junk that you need to 'Gi' (Get) rid of.

Hanja Power

Learning 廢 (waste) and 棄 (discard) will help you understand dozens of other formal Korean words.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'PIE' (폐 - pye) that is 'GEE' (기 - gi) gross, so you 'HAD A' (하다 - hada) reason to throw it away officially.

Visual Association

Picture a large industrial shredder destroying a stack of papers with a big red stamp that says 'OFFICIAL DISPOSAL'.

Word Web

Waste Trash Official Scrap Expired Document Law Environment

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that are '폐기 대상' (objects for disposal) and write a sentence for each using '폐기해야 합니다'.

Word Origin

Derived from the Hanja characters 廢 (폐) and 棄 (기).

Original meaning: 廢 (폐) means 'to stop,' 'to abolish,' or 'to be useless.' 棄 (기) means 'to throw away' or 'to abandon.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja).

Cultural Context

Avoid using this word when talking about people or pets, as it implies the object is 'junk' or 'waste,' which is highly offensive when applied to living beings.

In English, we use 'discard' or 'scrap,' but '폐기하다' is more commonly used in daily professional life than 'decommission' or 'annul' are in English.

The term is frequently used in K-Dramas involving corporate espionage (shredding documents). News reports on the '폐기' of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Environmental documentaries about '핵폐기물' (nuclear waste) in Korea.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Workplace

이 서류 폐기해 주세요.
기밀 문서는 세단기로 폐기합니다.
오래된 컴퓨터를 폐기할 예정입니다.
폐기 리스트를 작성하세요.

In a News Report

정부는 해당 정책을 폐기했습니다.
핵폐기물 처리장이 건설됩니다.
불법 폐기된 쓰레기가 발견되었습니다.
양국은 군사 협정을 폐기했습니다.

At a Grocery Store

이 빵은 오늘 폐기해야 해요.
폐기 식품은 따로 모아두세요.
유통기한 확인하고 폐기 처리하세요.
폐기 상품이 너무 많습니다.

Environmental Discussion

플라스틱 폐기물을 줄여야 합니다.
해양 폐기물 문제가 심각합니다.
폐수 무단 폐기를 감시합니다.
자원을 폐기하지 말고 재활용합시다.

Legal/Administrative Notice

대형 폐기물 배출 안내입니다.
폐기물 스티커를 부착하십시오.
해당 조례는 폐기되었습니다.
개인정보는 목적 달성 후 폐기됩니다.

Conversation Starters

"유통기한이 지난 음식을 어떻게 폐기하시나요? (How do you dispose of expired food?)"

"회사에서 중요한 서류를 어떻게 폐기하는지 아세요? (Do you know how important documents are discarded at work?)"

"환경 보호를 위해 폐기물을 줄이는 방법이 있을까요? (Are there ways to reduce waste for environmental protection?)"

"오래된 가전제품을 폐기할 때 스티커를 사본 적이 있나요? (Have you ever bought a sticker to discard old appliances?)"

"정부가 세운 계획이 폐기되는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요? (What do you think about government plans being scrapped?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 폐기한 물건 중 가장 아까웠던 것은 무엇인가요? (What was the most regrettable thing I discarded today?)

우리 사회에서 시급히 폐기해야 할 낡은 관습은 무엇이라고 생각하나요? (What old custom do you think our society needs to discard urgently?)

디지털 정보를 영구적으로 폐기하는 것이 왜 중요할까요? (Why is it important to permanently discard digital information?)

환경을 위해 내가 폐기물을 줄일 수 있는 구체적인 방법 세 가지를 써보세요. (Write three specific ways you can reduce waste for the environment.)

어떤 계획이 폐기되었을 때 느꼈던 감정에 대해 서술해 보세요. (Describe the feelings you had when a certain plan was scrapped.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but only if you are speaking formally or if the clothes are being scrapped (e.g., in a factory). For daily use, '버리다' is much better. Using '폐기하다' for personal clothes sounds like you are treating them as industrial waste.

폐기 is 'disposal' (throwing away because it's useless). 파기 is 'destruction' or 'annulment' (breaking a contract or destroying a document so it can't be used). They overlap, but 파기 is more about the legal or physical destruction of validity.

쓰레기 is the general word for trash. 폐기물 is a more formal, technical term for 'waste material,' often used in environmental or industrial contexts (e.g., industrial waste, chemical waste).

You can say '폐기된 계획'. For example: '그 계획은 결국 폐기되었습니다' (That plan was eventually scrapped).

Usually, '삭제하다' (delete) is used for files. However, if you are talking about 'permanent disposal' of data for security reasons, you might use '폐기' or '파기'.

Not for the act of cooking, but in professional kitchens, it's used for discarding ingredients that are no longer fresh. '상한 재료를 폐기하세요' (Discard the spoiled ingredients).

It is a set phrase meaning 'to dispose of' or 'to scrap.' It emphasizes that the item is being officially dealt with as waste.

No. Using '폐기하다' for a relationship would sound very strange and cold. Use '끝내다' (to end) or '헤어지다' (to break up).

It's grammatically correct but sounds very stiff. It's like saying 'I shall now execute the disposal of this candy wrapper' instead of 'I'm gonna toss this'.

Because it's a formal, Hanja-based word that you encounter in professional, news, and academic contexts, which are typically introduced at the intermediate level.